Bible Dictionary
Sihon
Sihon was king of the Amorites east of the Jordan. He refused Israel passage, attacked them, and was defeated, after which Israel took his territory.
Definition
Sihon was king of the Amorites east of the Jordan. His kingdom extended from the Arnon to the Jabbok before Israel defeated him and took possession of his territory.
Biblical Usage
Sihon refused Israel passage through his land and attacked the Israelites. Israel defeated him, his sons, and his people, captured his walled towns, and possessed the Amorite country.
Historical Background
Before Israel’s arrival, Sihon had dispossessed the Moabites of territory south of the Arnon. His kingdom covered about 1,500 square miles; the neighboring territory from the Jabbok to Hermon was ruled by Og.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Striking down. The whole country on the east of Jordan, from the Arnon to the Jabbok, was possessed by the Amorites, whose king, Sihon, refused to permit the Israelites to pass through his territory, and put his army in array against them. The Israelites went forth against him to battle, and gained a complete victory. The Amorites were defeated; Sihon, his sons, and all his people were smitten with the sword, his walled towns were captured, and the entire country of the Amorites was taken possession of by the Israelites (Num. 21:21-30; Deut. 2:24-37). The country from the Jabbok to Hermon was at this time ruled by Og, the last of the Rephaim. He also tried to prevent the progress of the Israelites, but was utterly routed, and all his cities and territory fell into the hands of the Israelites (comp. Num. 21:33-35; Deut. 3:1-14; Ps. 135: 10-12; 136:17-22). These two victories gave the Israelites possession of the country on the east of Jordan, from the Arnon to the foot of Hermon. The kingdom of Sihon embraced about 1,500 square miles, while that of Og was more than 3,000 square miles.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(warrior) king of the Amorites when Israel arrived on the borders of the promised land. (Numbers 21:21) (B.C. 1451.) Shortly before the time of Israel’s arrival he had dispossessed the Moabites of a splendid territory, driving them south of the natural bulwark of the Amen. Ibid. (Numbers 21:26-29) When the Israelite host appeared, he did not hesitate or temporize like Balak, but at once gathered his people together and attacked them. But the battle was his last. He and all his host were destroyed, and their district from Amen to Jabbok became at once the possession of the conqueror.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>si'-hon (cichon): King of the Amorites, who vainly opposed Israel on their journey from Egypt to Palestine, and who is frequently mentioned in the historical books and in the Psalms because of his prominence and as a warning for those who rise against Yahweh and His people (Nu 21:21, and often; De 1:4; 31:4; Jos 2:10; Jud 11:19,20,21; 1Ki 4:19; Ne 9:22; Ps 135:11; 136:19; Jer 48:45).</p>